Plans for sustainable water supply in Delfzijl are taking shape

The growth in industrial activities in Delfzijl and the arrival of new companies in, among other things, bio-based chemistry and hydrogen economy, is responsible for the increasing demand for water for industry. In order not to use expensive drinking water for this, Water Company Groningen offers sustainable alternatives through North Water, a joint industrial water subsidiary with Evides Industriewater.

Smart and sustainable use of water

Water is not expensive, but it is precious, is the motto of Water Company Groningen. And because availability is not always obvious, we have to deal with water differently and make smart, sustainable choices. Such as, for example, very consciously using surface water as a source for industrial water, so that drinking water sources are preserved for drinking water. In recent years, North Water has therefore worked on the realization of a sustainable industrial water purification system in Garmerwolde, with which it has been supplying the Eemshaven with industrial water since this spring, using surface water from the Eems Canal as a source. Simultaneously with the construction of the industrial water pipeline, the water company installed an additional drinking water pipeline. End result: a future-proof drinking and industrial water supply for the supply area Eemshaven, Northeast Groningen.

New industrial water pipeline for Delfzijl

North Water and Waterbedrijf Groningen are now working on a similar plan to provide the Delfzijl region with industrial water in a sustainable way. To this end, they want to build an industrial water pipeline between Appingedam and Delfzijl. By connecting this to the Garmerwolde-Eemshaven industrial water pipeline, it will be possible to supply industrial water from the new Garmerwolde industrial water treatment plant to the Delfzijl region. In addition, North Water is going to install a local distribution pipeline network at the Delfzijl port and industrial estate, realize an industrial water pumping station, demineralized water supply and the existing waste water purification system will be expanded. Simultaneously with the construction of the new industrial water pipeline between Appingedam and Delfzijl, Water Company Groningen is once again installing a drinking water pipeline in part of the same route. Together they are once again working on a robust drinking and industrial water infrastructure, this time for the Delfzijl supply area, East Groningen.

After the start of the NPG subsidy, now the next phase

At the beginning of this year, the National Program Groningen awarded a subsidy to North Water for the construction of the industrial water transport pipeline. This financial contribution not only increases the economic feasibility, but also underlines the public interest attributed to the plan. It also marked the start of further development of the plans. They do this together with, among others, the municipality of Eemsdelta, the province of Groningen, the companies involved and various cooperation partners.


The plans are now taking shape, but there are still many phases to go through, as is usual with these types of projects. On the basis of the first contours, there will be consultation with the various stakeholders, landowners and/or users, customers and the environment. That is now the next phase on the way to a sustainable water supply in Delfzijl (DWD). It will take some time before the pipeline is actually in the ground and the other project components on the port site are completed. The dot on the horizon for delivery and commissioning is the end of 2023.